Mental health crisis in modern era

By Varghese Alengaden

Indore: US gymnastics superstar Simone Biles sent shockwaves after her dramatic withdrawal mid-competition during the women’s team final of Tokyo Olympics. The 24-year-old four-time Olympic gold medalist cited concerns for her mental health.

Naomi Osaka, 23, the world No 2, expressed mental stress during the French Open and refused to do the customary press conference. Despite taking a mental health break, she could not improve her performance to win the game in Tokyo Olympics.

News of several film actors and celebrities suffering from mental stress and taking refuge in drugs and alcohol has become common. Many end up in suicide.

The number of young students suffering from mental depression and committing suicide is increasing. Business people and others in various professions also are victims of mental stress. Some are frank in admitting the problem and get treatment. Many others indulge in drugs, alcohol and other shortcuts. Hundreds of them end up in suicide not able to cope up with the stress.

Since I had the opportunity to be a youth animator for forty years I had been stressing the need for formulating a vision for life. In all our training programs principles and process of vision formulation, setting goals, policy-making and learning to set priorities were given prominence. Participants were made aware of the socio-political realities and taken for exposure to learning from the book of life.

The trainees were clearly told that crisis is part and parcel of life and they are essential for the growth and maturity of a person. Many practical tips were given for managing crises at different levels. “Crisis is for growth” and “when crisis appears remember, God is at hand”, were the captions which are displayed in the conference hall.

One of the most significant lessons taught during the training sessions is to distinguish between vision and ambition. Our former President A P J Abdul Kalam has clarified the difference in simple terms. “Dreaming small is a crime,” says Kalam. The small dream is ambition. Dreaming big is vision. Ambitious persons work hard to reach the top of the world and become No.1. Different people have different ambition. Often they are self-centered. There is no altruism, no sensitivity towards people who suffer poverty and inequality and injustice. They are in a rat race of earning more fame, more money, more power, more popularity and top ranking.

A person who had developed a vision which is broad, inclusive and lasting would also work hard to develop knowledge and skills to be competent. A visionary person while developing himself will also be concerned about the nation and humanity. From younger days they would get engaged in social projects and develop altruism. Once they reach on the top they would reach out to all who are in need. They would stand up and speak for all who are oppressed and exploited. They would make use of their celebrity status to be proactive instead of remaining silent and indifferent for fear of the consequence.

We also suggest trainees to study biographies of persons from all walks of life who accomplished great things despite numerous obstacles and crisis. Several films were screened with discussion helping trainees to observe major characteristics, draw insights and make application to their own lives. The trainees are taught to make a review of their daily lives based on the vision, goals and policies they have made for themselves.

Parents have small dream for their children and are concerned of their career which would provide financial and social security and status. The teachers and those who run the educational institutions are concerned about good results to maintain the institution’s standard. Once the students are out of the school/college there is no follow up with them. They too have small dream. With this small dream both parents and teachers commit a crime, a crime of wasting precious human resource. Crime becomes more serious when their children and students suffer mental stress and commit suicide. After all efforts to reach the top, neither the nation nor the humanity benefits from their talents.

Hundreds of young students who come to USM for enlightened leadership training are motivated to follow a purposeful life and they make resolutions to realize their vision which they formulate during the days of training. The testimonies of their personal transformation and social activities they do in their personal capacities after many years of training affirm our beliefs in our mission. If the teachers and schools would take keen interest and continue to be their mentors they could be change agents in a big way.

As young people are helped to develop their competence they should be given lessons of living by a vision which is inclusive, broad and lasting. Winning to come to the top alone is not the purpose of life. They should also be taught about the purpose of coming to the top. When persons are led with a vision they will grow in spirituality.

Spiritual people aim at excellence. They would equally find meaning in failure. They learn lessons from failures to make a better life. Each time they meet with failure, they say, ‘it is not the end of the world’. They would adopt the slogan, ‘Ho Jayega,’ it will be done. This is the attitude we could see in Manika Batra who lost in table tennis in Tokyo games. “I am mentally strong and I’ll remain that way. My aim is 2024, so I have to train harder once I return,” said Manika.

The ultimate principle everyone should follow is this: My talents, money, power and achievements are not mine. I am only an instrument in the hands of almighty God. Through my achievements I am only manifesting God’s glory.

(Father Varghese Alengaden is the founder director of Indore-based Universal Solidarity Movement, an NGO promoting enlightened citizenship and interreligious harmony)